Jewish Women Weekend

It's been a tough weekend for Jewish women in America. First the horrific shooting in Arizona, then the death of singer/song writer Debbie Friedman. In my opinion it's always hard to be a Jewish woman. There are all too many men (Jewish men included) in this world ready with a JAP barb or a Jewish mother joke to keep us down in the rare moments that we're not ruminating on the size of our hips or the slant of our nose. Sometimes I'm certain that the glass ceiling is made from double panned glass if you're an MOT. To be a successful Jewish woman means to overcome a plethora of forces, internal as well as external.

If in fact the Congresswoman and her staffer were targeted for being Jewish then this incident should serve as a reminder of the many barriers that still exist for Jews in this country and speaks to the tremendous strength of both the Congresswoman and Friedman. So many times I have found myself attempting to play-down my Judaism in the workplace for fear of leaving room for people to peg me as the stereotype of the loud and obnoxious Jewish woman they have seen portrayed in the media and in entertainment but this is to the detriment of those around me. Why shouldn't I be proud of who I am and the women who have paved the road before me, women like Friedman and Giffords. Women like Justice Ginsberg. The strength of their voices should be the clarion call for a new generation. A generation that is bent on carving our own paths and refining our individual and collective voice (ruah as Debbie would say).

I pray that Congresswoman Giffords makes a full and speedy recovery and that her voice comes back louder and stronger as an advocate for the Jewish community as well as for the voiceless among us.

To Congresswoman Giffords and the many people whose lives were forever marred by the tragic events Saturday, may the source of strength who blessed the ones before us, help us find the courage to make our lives a blessing.